Here is the "telecommunicator" from the story. It is to be worn on the wrist so it is about 3"x5". I wanted plenty of brass gears showing as function is beauty in steampunk. The big lens (with octagonal frame) is for receiving images. The smaller lens (inset at bottom of large lens) would record and project the image of the viewer to the other participant. Striped button for 'send', red button for 'end'. Outer rings for tuning transmission clarity and gauge for indicating long distance bill (Just kidding).

This is the open pocket watch to show the detail and face. It was to be "a watch for a time traveller - a watch that was more than a watch ... the charms are maybe keys to specific places or merely souvenirs ..."

This is a prop for cover artist Gene Mollica. It is a 'bone weapon' used by characters from Thomas E. Sniegoski's 'Remy Chandler' Series. Used by the race called the 'Bone Masters", here is a quote from the book ...

"The weapon was unlike anything he'd ever seen before. It appeared to be made out of yellowed bone, and looked almost like the intact skeleton of something that had once been alive, petrified into the shape of a gun."

And . . .

"From what we've been able to piece together, the Masters have somehow genetically engineered an animal, that once dead, becomes their professions chosen weapon of choice. They bond with these mysterious animals on a psychic and physical level from childhood, and when coming of age, ceremoniously slay the animal, and peel away the flesh to reveal the weapon specifically bred for them."

The new novel "Star Wars -Last Jedi" was announced today on the Star Wars books facebook page with over 200 'likes' in one day. Gene Mollica - Outstanding cover artist for this book commissioned me to do the props for the photo shoot. A lot goes into making these covers fantastic and correct. I built the Sith Holicron, Light Saber, and a holstered blaster(not shown in the final pose). It is a highlight of my career to be a part of the Star Wars Universe. Thanks for the opportunity, Gene. Thanks for the honor.

"Luftschiff Graf Zeppelin" engraved into the surface of a pre-weathered wooden surface. Highlighted with red paint. And we have what appears to be some leftover cargo box from the famous airship.Approximately 24" x 12"

My take on what the book cover could look like ...just playing in the studio.(still want to see what this looks like after a little photoshop.)

Light Saber, Sith Holocron, Blaster and holster - commisioned for Randomhouse "Star Wars: Last Jedi" book cover art. Photographer and friend, Gene Mollica will be doing the latest Star Wars book cover and commisioned me to put together a list of props requested by the editor and author. A Sith Holocron, A Light Saber, and a Blaster(w/ holster).

Blaster - commisioned for "Star Wars: Last Jedi" book cover art. Photographer and friend, Gene Mollica will be doing the latest Star Wars book cover and commisioned me to put together a list of props requested by the editor and author. A Sith Holocron, A Light Saber, and a Blaster(w/ holster).

Sith Holocron - commisioned for Star Wars book cover art. Photographer and friend, Gene Mollica will be doing the latest Star Wars book cover and commisioned me to put together a list of props requested by the editor and author. A Sith Holocron, A Light Saber, and a Blaster(w/ holster).

Light Saber - commisioned for Randomhouse "Star Wars: Last Jedi" book cover art. Photographer and friend, Gene Mollica will be doing the latest Star Wars book cover and commisioned me to put together a list of props requested by the editor and author. A Sith Holocron, A Light Saber, and a Blaster(w/ holster).

Collection of light sabers I made for Star Wars Celebration in Indiana a few years back.

Light Saber on far right - commisioned for Star Wars book cover art. Photographer and friend, Gene Mollica will be doing the latest Star Wars book cover and commisioned me to put together a list of props requested by the editor and author. A Sith Holocron, A Light Saber, and a Blaster(w/ holster).

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Picture this on Captain Nemo's nightstand. Now, picture it on yours. Industrialization never looked so good. Get your metal on and light up the world(or at least a corner of the room). Standard 110 volts, touch control. Anywhere on the shade or body cycles through three brightness levels.Easy and cheap to replace Christmas bulbs. It's all about the ambiance.

It was only a matter of time. Rayguns and robots and armour ... and now, steampunk lamps. Industrialization never looked so good. Get your metal on and light up the world(or at least a corner of the room). Standard 110 volts, push switch on neck.Recommended 40 watt bulb. It's all about the ambiance.

Hi Broken Toys -We are sorry, but your design 'Storm Warning' has been rejected and will not post to our Voting section for the following reason:

The Dark Knight - Did Not Meet Minimum Standards: Your submission has been rejected for The Dark Knight Rises Official T-Shirt Design Contest due to the fact that your design did not meet the minimum quality criteria for Design By Humans. Please take some time to look at the contest rules and only submit your very best work. Your design will go through a minimum of two quality screenings to make it into the final rounds viewed by Warner Bros. If you are unfamiliar with Design By Humans, spend some time looking in the shop and voting sections to get an idea of the type of design and style that make it to our online voting community and that get printed.

... oh well, you win some -you 'get rejected less than an hour after submission on what I would personally call a solid design' some

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

First invitation to espy the closely guarded secrets of "ex mysteria".
What faces do they wear?
What powers do they wield?
What are their true intentions?
What should I bring?
I mean my bean dip has always been a crowd pleaser, but maybe this calls for a hot dish, but then you have to worry if there will be an available outlet for the crockpot ...

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Detail from a 6 page proposed "Heavy Metal" short called
"CALAMARI: A Love Story".

I found it suprisingly Hemingway-esque not only in its brevity and action,
but in its exploration of how one young couple expresses their love for each other ...
he - by murdering anyone that comes between them . . . and his gifts of fine jewelry.
and she - by appreciating his differences as strengths . . . and his gifts of fine jewelry.

also cool ...

I have written and illustrated two previous stories for "Heavy Metal Magazine"
"Wake of the Tyra Li" March 2001
"Stickboy" - January 2007

... and before I close the subject completely, I just want to add that this IS my personal contribution to the high demand and low return for Giant Squids in American Literature today. Take heart, American Giant Squid Lovers - I am listening.

“When you lie in bed , close your eyes,for soon they come from darkened skies,their mouths are locked, their secrets ownedstealing children from bed and homeSo spy them not, don’t eye their faceslest they take you from your sweet warm places.”

Merely a nursery rhyme (albeit “Grimm”)to keep children sleeping. But the legend of the “Hush” creatures goes beyond the tooth fairy. This new found artifact has scholars and scientists debating the origin of the legend with theories ranging from “Ancient Atlantean Guardsmen recovering their scattered descendants” to “Otherworldly beings forced to hide their visage as their true angelic appearance would drive any human mad with delight”.

All above from a story I am putting together.All masks will belong to a different character.All will look broken and worn, but on closer inspection, one will be able to see there was a beauty and craftsmanship to the original. Only now the beauty is lost to the ages, as is the secret origins of these quiet beings that live a secret life in and among us.

Monday, February 20, 2012

wanted a child of innocence that could easily be mistaken for evil - of course she would live in a church.I purposefully grew the horns asymmetrical. Also experimented with selective color vs. black and white in the same piece.

And lo,
Lucifer was His favourite
and she was the handsomest of all the angels.
"How art thou fallen from heaven,
O' Lucifer, star of the morning!
For thou has said in thine heart,
I will create steampunk
and keep my pressure gauges in the red
and build way cool power gauntlets
and I will ascend above the heights of the clouds.
I will exalt my aership above the stars of God.
I will be like the most High.

- oooooh. big mistake -

from "Cast Out" -a cautionary tale by eddie wilson.

enjoy this and more promethean contentions. (like the first edition didn't do enough damage)

Steampunk arm band commissioned piece. Fantastic cover artist, Gene Mollica is combining this with my deathray, "Blueblood" and a beautiful model to create his latest book cover. Will post when it is completed ...until then, check out his amazing portfolio.www.genemollica.com

"Steampunk" explores this fascinating counterculture, transporting the reader
on an eclectic odyssey into a weird and wonderful world of dirigibles,
vaudeville and steam-powered ray guns. It celebrates the lives of steampunk’s
heroes and villains who are as diverse as they are pioneering. Isambard
Kingdom Brunel, Ada Lovelace, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Aleister Crowley
sit alongside body snatchers Burke and Hare and fashionistas Lady Gaga and
Alexander Mcqueen, creating a spellbinding mix of science fiction, Victorian
fact and contemporary kookiness.

contents -
Introduction: The story of steam, Why steampunk?
The Steampunk Code:
Chivalry vs. ‘Chavlry’.
Protosteampunks to include Leonardo Da Vinci, Al Jazari and Heron of Alexandria.
Inventors, Engineers and Industrialists: to include Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Nikola Tesla, Alexander Graham Bell and Ada Lovelace.
Explorers and Aviators: to include Count von Zeppelin, Jean-
Pierre Blanchard and Anna Mitchell-Hedges.
Authors: including H.G. Wells,
Jules Verne and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Artists: to include Richard Dadd,
William Morris, Doctor Evermore and Jake Von Slatt.
Fashionistas: including
Jean-Paul Gaultier and Alexander McQueen.
Steampunk Food: to include
Herr Steinbeck and Heston Blumenthal.
Steampunk Villains: including Aleister Crowley and Giovanni Aldini.
The Sound of Steampunk: to include Abney Park and Unextraordinary Gentlemen.
Steampunk at the Movies: including Studio Ghibli and Terry Gilliam.
(Subject to change.)